The effects of an increasing gradient of maternal obesity on pregnancy outcomes

[Perioperative management of a morbidly obese pregnant patient undergoing cesarean section under general anesthesia - case report]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The increased prevalence of obesity in the general population extends to women of reproductive age. The aim of this study is to report the perioperative management of a morbidly obese pregnant woman, body mass index > 50 kg/m(2), who underwent cesarean section under general anesthesia.

CASE REPORT

Pregnant woman in labor, 35 years of age, body mass index 59.8 kg/m(2). Caesarean section was indicated due to the presumed fetal macrosomia. The patient refused spinal anesthesia. She was placed in the ramp position with cushions from back to head to facilitate tracheal intubation. Another cushion was placed on top of the right gluteus to create an angle of approximately 15° to the operating table. Immediately before induction of anesthesia, asepsis was carried out and sterile surgical fields were placed. Anesthesia was induced in rapid sequence, with Sellick maneuver and administration of remifentanil, propofol, and succinilcolina. Intubation was performed using a gum elastic bougie, and anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and remifentanil. The interval between skin incision and fetal extraction was 21 minutes, with the use of a Simpson's forceps scoop to assist in the extraction. The patient gave birth to a newborn weighing 4850 g, with Apgar scores of 2 in the 1(st) minute (received positive pressure ventilation by mask for about 2 minutes) and 8 in the 5(th) minute. The patient was extubated uneventfully. Multimodal analgesia and prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting was performed. Mother and newborn were discharged on the 4(th) postoperative day.

A short review of adipokines, smooth muscle and uterine contractility

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. The prevalence of obesity is increasing in both developed and developing countries. In the UK, for example, 60% of adults are overweight and 25% are obese. Obesity is associated with many pathological complications including respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine, but it also affects fertility and is associated with many reproductive complications. This has led us and others to investigate links between women with high BMI, pregnancy outcome and uterine function. These studies in turn have led investigators to ask how obesity can have such an impact on reproduction and, as part of this, to consider the role of the adipokines released from adipose tissues. Our focus in this short review is on adipokines and myometrial activity, and for completeness we overview their effects on other smooth muscles. To date four adipokines (leptin, visfatin, apelin and ghrelin) have been investigated and all affect myometrial contractility, but some more potently than others. We consider the possible mechanisms involved in how adipokines may modify uterine contractility, and discuss the potential impact on labor and delivery.

A review of the impact of dietary intakes in human pregnancy on infant birthweight

Studies assessing maternal dietary intakes and the relationship with birthweight are inconsistent, thus attempting to draw inferences on the role of maternal nutrition in determining the fetal growth trajectory is difficult. The aim of this review is to provide updated evidence from epidemiological and randomized controlled trials on the impact of dietary and supplemental intakes of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc, folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, as well as dietary patterns, on infant birthweight. A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken via the electronic databases Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Medline. Included articles were those published in English, in scholarly journals, and which provided information about diet and nutrition during pregnancy and infant birthweight. There is insufficient evidence for omega-3 fatty acid supplements’ ability to reduce risk of low birthweight (LBW), and more robust evidence from studies supplementing with zinc, calcium, and/or vitamin D needs to be established. Iron supplementation appears to increase birthweight, particularly when there are increases in maternal hemoglobin concentrations in the third trimester. There is limited evidence supporting the use of folic acid supplements to reduce the risk for LBW; however, supplementation may increase birthweight by ~130 g. Consumption of whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats throughout pregnancy appears beneficial for appropriate birthweight. Intervention studies with an understanding of optimal dietary patterns may provide promising results for both maternal and perinatal health. Outcomes from these studies will help determine what sort of dietary advice could be promoted to women during pregnancy in order to promote the best health for themselves and their baby.

Pre-eclampsia and assisted reproductive technologies: consequences of advanced maternal age, interbirth intervals, new partner and smoking habits

OBJECTIVE

To examine the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE) in women conceiving after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Potential confounding from maternal age, long intervals between births, new partner and smoking were evaluated.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Population-based cohort study with data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

POPULATION

A total of 501,766 mothers with offspring from 1988 to 2009.

METHODS

Births to the same mother were linked in sibship data files with information of ART.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals) of PE in pregnancies conceived by ART compared with spontaneous conception, stratified by parity.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PE was 5.1% in first, 2.2% in second and 2.1% in third pregnancies. Corresponding figures in ART pregnancies were 6.0%, 3.3% and 4.4%. Hence, the odds ratios of PE in ART pregnancies relative to spontaneous pregnancies increased from 1.2 (1.1-1.3) in first, 1.5 (1.3-1.8) in second to 2.1 (1.4-3.3) in third pregnancies. Adjusting by maternal age lowered the odds ratio to 1.3 (1.1-1.6) and 1.8 (1.2-2.8) in second and third pregnancies, respectively. Multi-adjusted, birth interval had more impact than change of partner. Smoking was associated with a strongly reduced PE risk (odds ratio 0.65; 0.62-0.69), but there was no confounding by smoking on the ART associated risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Assisted reproductive technologies increases the risk of PE, and the risk may increase by parity. The association between ART pregnancies and PE is to some extent explained by interbirth intervals and advanced maternal age, but not to change of partner or smoking.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Associated with Pregnancy: a Population-Based Cohort Study

Introduction

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare complication in pregnant women. There have been no population-level data reported to date on its epidemiology, clinical features, resource utilization, and outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective, population-based cohort study, using the Texas Inpatient Public Use Data File to identify pregnancy-associated hospitalizations for the years 2001–2010. Hospitalizations with a diagnosis of NF were then identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 728.86. Denominator data for incidence estimates were derived from the Texas Center for Health Statistics reports of live births, abortions and fetal deaths, and previously reported population-based, age-specific linkage data on miscarriage, and were used to estimate the annual total number of pregnancies (TEP). The incidence of pregnancy-associated NF (PANF), hospitalization type, clinical features, resource utilization and outcomes were examined.

Results

There were 4,060,201 pregnancy-associated hospitalizations and 148 PANF hospitalizations during study period. Postpartum hospitalizations accounted for 82.4% of all PANF events, and intensive care unit care was required in 61.5%. The key trends noted between 2001–2002 and 2009–2010 included rising incidence of PANF from 1.1 vs. 3.8 per 100,000 TEP-years (P = 0.0001), chronic comorbidities 0% vs. 31.7% (P = 0.0777), and development of organ failure in 9.1% vs. 31.7% (P = 0.0302). There was no significant change in total hospital charges or hospital length of stay. Three patients (2%) died in the hospital and 55% of survivors had routine home discharge.

Conclusions

The present cohort of PANF is the largest reported to date. The incidence of PANF rose nearly 3.5-fold over the past decade, with most events developing following delivery hospitalization. Chronic illness has been increasingly present, along with rising severity of illness. The majority of patients required ICU care. Hospital mortality was lower than that reported for NF in the general population. The sources of the observed findings require further study.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40121-014-0031-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preconception dietary patterns in human pregnancies are associated with preterm delivery

Maternal nutrition can have a profound effect on fetal growth, development, and subsequent infant birth weight. Preconception dietary patterns have not been assessed in relation to perinatal outcomes. The objectives of this study were to identify associations between maternal dietary patterns in the 12 mo before conception on fetal growth and preterm delivery. Preconception food frequency data were collected retrospectively in 309 women. Dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis. Perinatal outcomes were collected at delivery with birth weight data calculated into percentiles to assess small and large for gestational age and preterm delivery at <37 wk. Three dietary patterns were identified: 1) high-protein/fruit (characterized by fish, meat, chicken, fruit, and some whole grains); 2) high-fat/sugar/takeaway (takeaway foods, potato chips, refined grains); and 3) vegetarian-type (vegetables, legumes, whole grains). A 1-SD increase in the scores on the high-protein/fruit pattern was associated with decreased likelihood of preterm birth (adjusted OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.72; P = 0.007), whereas the reverse direction was apparent for the high-fat/sugar/takeaway pattern (adjusted OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.15; P = 0.011). A 1-SD increase in the scores on the high fat/sugar/takeaway pattern was also associated with shorter gestation (adjusted regression coefficient: -2.7; 95% CI: -4.3, -1.1; P = 0.001) and birth length (adjusted regression coefficient: -0.5; 95% CI: -0.8, -0.1; P = 0.004). Nutrition before pregnancy is associated with perinatal outcomes. A dietary pattern containing several protein-rich food sources, fruit, and some whole grains is associated with reduced likelihood for preterm delivery, whereas a dietary pattern mainly consisting of discretionary items is associated with preterm delivery, shorter birth length, and earlier gestation. Poor dietary behaviors in the periconceptional period could be altered to promote behavior change in dietary intake to improve perinatal outcomes and the long-term health of the child.

Conditions causing disability and current pregnancy among US women with chronic physical disabilities

BACKGROUND

Growing numbers of reproductive-age US women with chronic physical disabilities (CPD) are becoming pregnant. Little is known about the health conditions causing their CPD.

OBJECTIVES

To identify health conditions causing CPD among reproductive-age women and specifically among currently pregnant women.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Cross-sectional, nationally representative National Health Interview Survey data from 2006 to 2011.

SUBJECTS

A total of 6043 civilian, noninstitutionalized women aged 18-49 with CPD.

MEASURES

National Health Interview Survey asks about various movement difficulties and their underlying causes and about current pregnancy. We used responses from 8 movement difficulty and other questions to identify women with mobility difficulties caused by chronic physical health conditions.

RESULTS

Among women with CPD, 2.0% report current pregnancy, with pregnancy rates falling monotonically as CPD severity rises. Regardless of pregnancy, 20.8% report 2 causes for their CPD, and 12.7% report 3+ causes; the most common causes are arthritis, back or neck problems, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Compared with nonpregnant women, currently pregnant women report fewer causal conditions: 15.8% report 2 causes and 8.0% 3+ causes; back or neck problems are reported most frequently, followed by musculoskeletal problems and arthritis. Multivariable logistic regression analyses predicting current pregnancy controlling for age category and individual common causes of CPD found that no cause was significantly associated with higher or lower adjusted odds of pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Almost one quarter of currently pregnant women with CPD report more than one cause for their disability. Further research will needed to examine how obstetrical needs vary for depending on the cause of a pregnant woman's disability.

Fertility management in the PCOS population: results of a web-based survey at IVF-worldwide.com

PURPOSE

To identify the leading treatment strategies for infertile women with PCOS on an international scale.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation using the results of a web-based survey, (IVF-Worldwide ( www.IVF-worldwide.com ), posted from 1 to 30 September 2010 was performed. Binomial confidence intervals for proportions were calculated by the modified Wald method with significance defined as P < 0.05 using a DataStar software package (DataStar, Waltham, MA, USA). Incomplete surveys were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

The results from 262 centers in 68 nations were obtained. Clomiphene citrate was the clear first choice, 68 %, for PCOS treatment in the respondent group. Eighty-eight percent of respondents utilized ultrasound follicular monitoring when conducting ovulation induction with oral medications. A significant (p < 0.05) proportion of respondents (66 %) did use some BMI cutoff beyond which IVF treatment was not offered. The preferred IVF protocols for PCOS patients were gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, 46 %, and GnRH agonist, 51 %. There was heterogeneity of responses observed regarding the management of a patient at very high risk of OHSS.

CONCLUSIONS

While some advances, such as the use of GnRH antagonist regimen in IVF cycles, were relatively underutilized, the survey gives an unfiltered snapshot at the practice patterns of a large number of clinics. Results from this survey may be used by researchers and professional organizations to improve the clinical care of PCOS women suffering with infertility.